Home|Media Releases|Thandi Modise a poor example for emerging black farmers and should be prosecuted for cruelty to animals

Thandi Modise a poor example for emerging black farmers and should be prosecuted for cruelty to animals

2014-07-07

Dr Pieter Groenewald

“The Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in Parliament, Ms. Thandi Modise’s neglect of animals on her farm, Modderfontein, near Potchefstroom, is shocking and attests of poor management and sets a poor example for especially black emerging farmers. She should be prosecuted for cruelty against animals,” Dr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the parliamentary spokesperson on Agriculture for the Freedom Front Plus says.

“Modise’s excuse that her farm manager had absconded is unacceptable. This means that she had not communicated with the farm manager for at least one to two weeks and smacks of poor management on her part. It could justifiably be asked why the farm manager had absconded; is it mere slackness and irresponsibility or did she not compensate the farm manager? Modise should provide the reasons.

“I have on various occasions in Parliament said that to merely possess a farm does not make one wealthy. The ownership of a farm demands responsibility, hard work, dedication and expert management and Minister Nkwinti and the government should take note in this instance, before they continue with their land reform plans,” Groenewald said.